Erica Techo
Shelby County Commission meeting on Sept. 28, 2015.
The Shelby County Commission approved the budget for fiscal year 2016 at its Sept. 28 meeting.
The budget includes a total of more than $97 million in expenses, including $60 million in expenditures for the general fund and over $13 million for the highway department.
Commissioners Rick Shepherd and Dr. Robbie Hayes were not present at the meeting, but County Manager Alex Dudchock said both commissioners favored the budget.
“They both say to communicate to y’all that they 100 percent support the budget,” Dudchock said.
All other commissioners who were present at the meeting approved and passed the budget.
During the building and finance review, Dudchock informed the commission of state cuts to funding for the Shelby County Juvenile Detention center. Debra Rulaine, manager of the center, was present at the meeting.
“Debra and our staff there continue to do a phenomenal job for us,” Dudchock said. “The other thing I wanted to tell you is, as always, we have to be prepared when our state legislature and state government cuts us again.”
The funding was cut by $32,348, Dudchock said, which leaves funding around 50 percent of the amount that was provided when the center opened 18 years ago.
Chad Scroggins, county development services manager, also informed the commission that the county’s MS4 (Municipal Septic Storm Sewer System Permit) will be issued Wednesday, Sept. 30 and effective Thursday, Oct. 1.
“It’s the first time a permit has been issued to us since 2001,” Scroggins said.
The permit is for water drainage in the Cahaba River Basin and includes new responsibilities.
In other news, the commission:
- Heard the concern of a resident who lives off of Wild Timber Parkway. The citizen said he was concerned with the number of 18-wheelers that travel on Highway 11 near his property. Commissioner Lindsey Allison said she would make sure Hayes got his letter and contacted him.
- Approved the holiday calendar for fiscal year 2016.
- Approved a resolution authorizing local matching funds for public transportation.
- Approved a property easement vacation in Deerwood Lake. The builder built a garage over a storm sewer line, said county engineer Randy Cole, and the easement meant the county would vacate the line under the garage foundation. The builder will also relocate the line around the foundation.
- Reappointed Jim Latham to the Shelby County Board of Equalization.
- Appointed Christopher Lewis to the Law Enforcement Personnel Board.
